Civil Defence Public Shelters
Ensure legal compliance for Civil Defence Public Shelters by following BCA’s regulations. Safeguard occupants with approved shelter designs and tests.
Last updated 11 March 2026
Civil Defence Public Shelters (CDPS) provide safe refuge during wartime. They are designed with protective features that protect civilians from weapon effects. The public can find these shelters at Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations, HDB buildings, schools, community centres and other select public areas.
CDPS are regulated under the Civil Defence Shelter Act, with BCA approving plans and overseeing inspections and commissioning tests. As an industry professional responsible for their development, understanding the complete process—from approval to commissioning—is essential for ensuring building safety regulations compliance and public security.
This guide outlines the regulatory requirements, technical specifications, and procedural steps required for successful CDPS implementation in CDPS development projects.
Approval process for public shelter plans
Arranging a pre-submission consultation for public shelter plans
Before making a formal submission of the public shelter plan, you may first request a consultation on design and construction advice. You may do so by logging into the CORENET e-Submission System and using e-form (BCA-CD-PLAN01.XFDX).
For S10-S29 public shelters, a consultation can be arranged with the Transit Shelter Engineering Department (TSED) of BCA. For an appointment, please contact the following:
Architectural and civil works: bernard_tan@bca.gov.sg
Mechanical works: poh_chee_kai@bca.gov.sg / go_hui_jing@bca.gov.sg
Electrical works: ng_kok_lam@bca.gov.sg
Submitting your public shelter plan
You may submit your public shelter plan application by logging into the CORENET e-submission System and using e-form (BCA-CD-PLAN02.XFDX). Note that only a QP in civil or structure engineering, or a QP in mechanical engineering, may endorse and submit shock design calculations.
For more details on the required steps to obtain a plan approval, please refer to the Guidelines on Plan Submission of Public Shelters [PDF, 769 KB].
Please also note that as part of the approval process, CD Technical Requirements/Specifications and CD M&W Specifications are required. These documents are only available in hard copy* at:
Volunteer & Community Partnership Department (VCPD)
HQ SCDF Complex
91 Ubi Ave 4
Singapore 408827
You may contact VCPD at 6848 1478 or 6848 1473 to arrange for collection of the above documents.
*Hard copies are only available on request to QPs, consultants, and contractors engaged by the user ministry or statutory board for public shelter projects. In particular, the Technical Specifications for S1-S5 Public Shelters will only be issued to project coordination QPs.
Construction of civil defence public shelters
Once the public shelter plans have been approved, the QP must follow these procedures during the construction of the civil defence public shelter:
Comply with requirements specified in
Technical Requirements for Public Shelters.
Technical Specifications for Works of Public Shelters.
Guidelines on Construction and Commissioning of Public Shelters [PDF, 617 KB].
Obtain Transit Shelter Engineering Department’s (TSED) “Notice of Approval” and BCA Building Engineering Group’s “Permit to Commence Building Works” before starting construction.
Supervise shelter construction closely and notify TSED before concreting any CD critical structural elements.
Commissioning of public shelters
Constructed public shelters must also pass commissioning tests to ensure that the shelter meets all specified requirements. Public shelters which have passed the commissioning tests will receive the Notice of Approval of Commissioning (NOAC) and subsequently the Certificate of Statutory Completion (CSC).
Commissioning tests required for CD shelters, verifying gas-tightness, airflow regulation, and reliable operation of integrated systems.
Required commissioning tests | Ensures that |
|---|---|
Internal Overpressure Test (IOPT) | CD shelter envelope is gas-tight in accordance with test criteria for overpressure and allowable leakage. |
Overpressure Regime and Airflow Test (ORAT) | Air supply systems regulate airflow through ducts, dampers and CD valves in accordance with design and test criteria for overpressure and airflow. |
Integrated Systems Test (IST) | All civil defence shelter systems operate reliably under normal or generator power supply. |
Detailed information on the commissioning tests can be found in the Handbook for Commissioning Requirements of Public Shelters [PDF, 1.1 MB].
Responsibilities of QPs for commissioning tests
Before each commissioning test, the QP shall prepare and submit the method statement for review and approval by logging into the CORENET e-Submission System and using e-form BCA-CD-PLAN02.XFDX.
The QP shall also book a commissioning test date with BCA by logging into the CORENET e-Submission System and using e-form BCA-CD-NCOM01.XFDX.
Upon successful completion of the commissioning test, the QP shall prepare and submit the test report and results for review and approval by logging into the CORENET e-Submission System and using e-form BCA-CD-PLAN02.XFDX.
At the NOAC application stage, the QP shall submit a Certificate of Supervision of Building Works in Respect of CD Shelters [DOCX, 38 KB] and other documents and obtain an approval by logging into the CORENET e-Submission System and using e-form BCA-CD-COMM01.XFDX.